The SJHL’s Melville Millionaires open fall training camp this weekend, with more than 60 players expected on the ice as the team prepares for the 2025–26 season.
Head coach and general manager Doug Johnson says the start of camp always brings excitement.
“At the start of every year, there’s an excitement that’s unrivaled,” Johnson said. “You’ve got butterflies and you’re just looking forward to a great season with the guys in the room and our incredible fans.”
Camp begins Friday with drills and small-area games, followed by scrimmages on Saturday.
Goaltending will be a key focus, with two veterans Ben Laurette and Nick Genette not returning and several newcomers battling for the top spot.
“This year’s camp in net is going to be incredibly competitive,” Johnson said. “We want the players to make the decisions tough on us.”
On defense, five veterans return including Boston Harkness, Wes Golden, Riley Craigen, Louis Nadeau and Brode Hicks, alongside recruits such as Kade McIvor, Sam Laplante, and 6’3” rookie Ty Janz.
Up front, Johnson expects big strides from young players and new additions.
“On paper, our forward group might look underwhelming, but we believe our kids will take a big step,” he said. “We’ll lean on returners like Jett Fogle, Brendan Olson and Devin Winder, and our additions such as Matty Edwards , Yo-bin Yoo and Rylan Oatman bring skill and then we have a trip of 17 year olds that we are high on. We may have to score a bit differently than in the past, but we like our group.”
The weekend wraps up with a preseason game Sunday against the Humboldt Broncos at the CN Community Centre.
